Thursday, May 29, 2008

I was enjoying my brief time off soooooo much that it was unbelieveable!

Indeed, rest is good for the body, mind, and soul.

I hope that you had a great Holiday weekend as well. I feel really refreshed and ready to share some more highlights and tips with you.

I'm culling through photos and news items to share with you as I type this post. It looks like the summer will be a fun one for those who will be attending various social functions and those who enjoy good ole fashioned reality TV.

And...by the way - many thanks to all of you who are so kind in sending photos for possible inclusion on this blog. I really appreciate it tremendously.

Please keep in mind that if you decide to send photos, I will need the name of the photographer (if possible for proper photo credits) and clear resolution images. Unfortunately, I can not include blurry photos or images from camera phones if they are not clear.

So folks, grab your Arnold Palmers or your favorite cocktail du jour as we scope out the latest and greatest from our world!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Many thanks to Delta Sigma Theta SisterGreek Jasmine Myers-Duncan for sharing this week's photos including this one of 100 Year OldAlice Spraggins enjoying the Arlington, VA Chapter of The Links, Incorporated annual Monte Carlo night.

The packed event including gaming, food, music, and fun for all attendees.

In the late 1800s, Detroit had a fairly sizable Black professional class of attorneys, doctors, and educators. However, it was nearly impossible to find suitable places for Black women to gather together and discuss intellectual or political topics of the day.

In 1898 Detroit Black Socialite Gabrielle Lewis Pelham invited five of her good friends into her home to discuss Robert Browning’s poetry. The group blossomed into a club that focused not only on intellectual pursuits, but also philanthropic and civil rights activities.

They also provided scholarships and grants to various organizations dedicated to the betterment of life for Black people. Early in the 20th Century, The Detroit Study Club became one of two Black women’s groups to hold membership in the Detroit Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Throughout the years, The Detroit Study Club continued on its original mission of intellectual enrichment of its membership while maintaining an intimate size.

Membership is by invitation only and is currently capped at 45 members.

Today, The Detroit Study Club welcomes its fifth generation of members – many of whom are descendants of the founding group.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Former Republican Congressman JC Watts (pictured here) has announced plans to launch Black Television News Channel – slated to be the country’s first all news cable network dedicated to the Black Community. The format will mirror CNN and the Fox News Channel.

BTNC is based in Washington, DC and is a part of a multi-year carriage agreement with Comcast Cable. Distribution of the channel is expected to begin in early 2009 in Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Baltimore.

This is good news given that Black people watch more television than any other ethnic group according to Neilsen.

*Note to self and The Black Socialite Community – send email to BTNC to request lifestyle news coverage of Black Socialites and prominent businesspeople.

Quite a few of you have contacted me for more scoop on 40-something year old art consultant extraordinaire Kim Heirston. At six feet tall without heels in fabulous designer fashions, you can’t miss her when she walks into the room.

Unlike many of her peers in the art world, Ms. Heirston was not 'to the manor born.' Kim was raised by a single mom in Huntington, Long Island who divorced Kim’s dad when she was 3. A talented student with a natural inclination for the sciences, Kim’s desire was to be an actress.

She attended Yale University where she worked at a series of gallery jobs and became hooked on the art world. She worked as the Director of the Stux Gallery and received several job offers to become a dealer. However, Kim was interested in establishing her own business.

She approached an Italian client with the idea that she could become his advisor to help him establish his collection. He agreed. They commissioned a work from Damien Hirst back when he wasn’t well known. The collector paid $60,000 for the piece that later sold at auction in 2006 for $3 million.

OK…pick up your jaw…

Kim continued to build her professional reputation and is considered a ‘top-tier art advisor’ to some of the world’s wealthiest people. She holds a prominent seat at Sotheby’s making her a rarity among Black art consultants. Her client list includes Tom and Alex Clancy, Kate and Andy Spade, all three of the Miller sisters, and countless other millionaires with unrecognizable names.

She also made an appearance as herself on Sex and The City back in 1998.

Kim also keeps a very active social life both in the US and abroad – having been named as one of Harper's Bazaar ‘Most Sought After Guests in New York.’ Kim met her husband (Australian real estate investor Richard Evans pictured below) at one of Denise Rich’s party in the Hamptons and host luncheons for her friends at her home.

We’ll keep our eyes open for more Kim Heirston sightings in the future!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Many of you know that I am a big fan of Town & Country Magazine. I enjoy their informative articles and stunning photography.

Aspiring socialites should check out the June edition (also referred to as The Special Philanthropy Issue) for a couple of reasons.

The beautiful layout seasoned with great photos of many of our favorite Black Socialites like Thelma Golden, Carol Sutton Lewis, and Kathryn Chenault.

It looks like deep purple is the color du jour ladies and gentleman - and of course, this color looks great on us!

Also, there are ‘10 tips for trouble free volunteering’ that many of you will find useful as you venture out into the non-profit socialite landscape.

A sampling of these tips include:

1) Choose causes or issues about which you feel strongly2) Be realistic about what you can do. Don’t over commit.3) Expect to be interviewed; nonprofits have requirements too.4) Don’t wait to be asked.5) Be patient. Go scoop up your copy to help map out your Socialite plans today!

Monday, May 5, 2008

When I started The Black Socialite back in August of 2007, I never imagined nor adequately prepared for its popularity. The blog began as a way for me and my friends to keep up with each other while sharing commentary and news about people of our social circle.

Our blogosphere community remained positive and upbeat in its infancy.

The Black Socialite has since grown in readership and has blossomed into a social diary of The Black Elite.

I have been blessed to receive advertisers and mainstream news partners who believe in the power of positive news featuring Black people. Even more heartwarming is the countless number of emails I receive from parents who tell me that they read The Black Socialite with their children and grandchildren.

So apparently these types of images of our people are long overdue.

However, during this journey we have experienced some growing pains.

A good number of you are pretty determined to shoot off inappropriate and downright mean-spirited comments under the cloak of anonymity or blog monikers. Bad behavior in the blogosphere is so common that The New York Timesposted a recent story about one blog’s editorial staff's attempt to warn and ban out of control readers.

Several of you have made repeated attempts to dictate perimeters of who is worthy of coverage on The Black Socialite in spite of the fact that I have addressed this topic back in February.

And, in the realm of super crazy - enough of you have spiraled into the abyss of name calling, personal attacks, foul language, and ugly –isms that I am forced to take drastic steps to preserve the integrity of what I have created.

Comments have been officially disabled on The Black Socialite until further notice.

In case you weren’t aware, the people featured on this blog are real people with feelings, family members, and friends - so nasty and catty comments impact them and the people who care about them on a very deep and personal level.

Moreover, it is my responsibility to continue to elevate those who I elect to feature as shining examples of tangible excellence without enabling the hateful tone that has recently invaded our community.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Great minds think alike. I guess that's why we have such a good time on this blog!

Several of you forwarded me this flick of Super Socialites Janice and Christopher Williams with Amanda Lebenthal (left) and Jay Diamond (2nd to left) at the Turn of Our Century Ball to benefit Partnership with Children on April 16th at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Over 500 attendees helped to raise $1 Million for the organization that benefits 'at risk' children.

Thanks to all of you who forwarded this flick from various news sources.

I'm heading out to my hair appointment so I can jump start the weekend off right!